Enterprise News: Brockton’s Gramprey had productive soccer career at Merrimack College
The Enterprise
by Jim Fenton
BROCKTON, MA - Gabrielle Gramprey of
Brockton left her mark on the Merrimack College women’s
soccer program with four sensational seasons.
The three-time Div. 2 All-America and four-time All-Northeast-10
Conference selection finished sixth all-time with 41 goals, was
seventh with 114 points and tied for 10th with 32 assists in 82
career games.
As a senior this fall, the 2006 Brockton High School graduate led
the Warriors with 13 goals, eight assists and 34 points as
Merrimack made its third straight appearance in the NCAA Div. 2
tournament.
Gramprey, who was the Warriors’ captain this season and
finished third in the NE-10 in points, has earned several honors
for her performance this year.
On Thursday, Gramprey was named to the All-America third team by
the National Soccer Coaches Association of America
She was also chosen to the All-East Region first teams by both
Daktronics and the NSCAA and made the All-New England first team
this season.
Gramprey was picked to the All-NE-10 first team for a second year
in a row after being chosen to the second team as a freshman and
sophomore.
“She was a difference maker,’’ said Merrimack
coach Gabe Mejail, whose team went 51-21-11 in Gramprey’s
four seasons at the North Andover school. “She was just so
valuable to the team.
“Obviously, she is a naturally gifted player, but she is
also very driven. That’s what makes her a superior player.
She had both the drive and the ability. You knew what to expect
from her every single game.’’
Gramprey had five goals and seven assists as a freshman and 10
goals and nine assists as a sophomore when she made the All-America
third team. She produced 13 goals and eight assists as a junior,
earning second-team All-America status.
“It was a great career that she had,’’ said
Mejail. “A lot of other coaches in the conference are
relieved that she is graduating.
“When we showed up to play, other teams had to worry about
her. I remember one game, she showed up sick with the flu. I told
her, ‘Just go out there and stand and they’ll still
have people watching you.’ And they did.’’
Mejail knew Gramprey was going to be a solid contributor when she
got to Merrimack in 2006, but was pleasantly surprised when
expectations were exceeded.
“I had an idea she’d be a good player, but to be a
100-point scorer and to win so many games for us, I didn’t
think she’d be this good,’’ said Mejail of the
psychology major. “She just wants to win at everything. She
leads by example.
“She showed that as a captain this year. She was a great
captain with her dedication and hard work. She could have gotten
away with less work because of her ability, but she didn’t do
that. We’re going to miss her.’’
